Iran poses a laundry list of threats to U.S. national security, according to top officials in the intelligence community.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that Iran poses a threat on a number of fronts, including its ability to develop a nuclear weapon, and the fact that any nuclear attack would likely be delivered by a ballistic missile.

"Iran already has the largest inventory of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, and it is expanding the scale, reach, and sophistication of its ballistic missile force, many of which are inherently capable of carrying a nuclear payload," Clapper said during his opening remarks to the committee.

The question for the intelligence community remains whether Iran, in particular Supreme Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei, either already has decided or will decide to pull the trigger when it comes to taking the country's nuclear knowledge and applying it to the actual development of a nuclear weapon.

"Iran's technical advancement, particularly in uranium enrichment, strengthens our assessment that Iran has the scientific, technical, and industrial capacity to eventually produce nuclear weapons, making the central issue its political will to do so," Clapper said.

There are a number of indicators that the intelligence community is looking for that Clapper refused to detail during the public hearing that would indicate that the decision has already been made, and Clapper added that there is no indication yet that the decision has been made.

But Iran is not giving up the potential either. Lt. Gen. Ronald Burgess, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said Iran is also "not close to agreeing" to abandon its nuclear program.

Under questioning by Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, Clapper and Burgess verified that Iran remains a significant threat on a number of fronts, including its continued support of organizations such as Hezbollah, which is deemed a terrorist organization by the United States, as well as its indirect support of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Burgess added that Iranian weapons have been found in Afghanistan, and that Tehran is attempting a "dual-track strategy" in Afghanistan and Iraq - working against U.S. and coalition desires while making efforts to "put forward the government" in both countries.

"They are walking both sides of the fence" said Burgess, who confirmed that it is the intelligence communities' belief that Iran is supporting the killing of U.S. soldiers.

"Iran is a big problem," Clapper added. He said recent bombing attempts in Thailand, India and Georgia targeting Israeli interests may not have been a technical success, but they still had a psychological impact.

Iran also poses a threat to U.S. interests and can close the Strait of Hormuz, the entryway to the Persian Gulf, at least temporarily, Burgess said. While Iran has substantial reach with its ballistic missiles, it would likely only use them if provoked, according to the U.S. intelligence assessment.

"Iran is unlikely to initiate or intentionally provoke a conflict," Burgess said.

Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, who co-chairs the committee, listed his own ideas about the Iranian threat during his remarks to open the hearing, noting that Iran's believed involvement in a recent plot to assassinate a Saudi ambassador on U.S. soil has changed the nature of the threat.

"The rulers in Iran clearly pose a more direct threat to us than many would have assumed just a year ago," McCain said. "And that is on top of the hostile actions in which Iran has been engaging for years, including killing Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting terrorist groups across the Middle East, destabilizing Arab countries, propping up and rearming the Assad regime in Syria, and continuing their undeterred pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability. The threat posed by the Iranian regime could soon bring the Middle East to the brink of war, if it has not already."

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The FBI and DEA fabricate evidence, steal from suspects and use murder to close those bad cases.
There is evidence that employees from DoD, CIA and DOJ accepted bribes from Al Quida.
How is it that 12 of the 9/11 terrorists could live for 2 weeks just 2 miles from NSA head quarters in Maryland.This after several of them had taken flight simulator lessons on Jumbo jet trainers and several of them where on State department terror watch lists.
There is evidence that employees from DoD, CIA and DOJ accepted bribes from Al Quida.
If DoJ and DoD employees where more concerned with doing their jobs than enriching themselves by stealing from suspects and taking bribes, then there might have been more a chance that 9/11 had never happened.
Worse might be the fact that elements wit

If one were to base their convictions and opinions on the propagated talking points in the western media, and accept their delusional contextualization of the Iranian issue, one would think that the Iranian state is a menace and an existential threat to, not only the U.S. and Israel, but the entire world. If one was sufficiently convinced that Iran posed a direct threat to their security, in such a state of fear, one might even support a preemptive attack. This contextualization is so twisted and backwards that while laughable, is also extremely dangerous as it could possibly lead to the death of hundreds of thousands of human beings.

10 years ago, Brian Whitaker wrote in The Guardian that “One of the oldest tricks in the run-up to a war is to spread terrifying stories of things that the enemy may be about to do. Government officials plant these tales, journalists water them and the public, for the most part, swallow them.” (2) This was, as we all know now, the method used to justify the murder of Iraqi civilians and the destruction of their nation by the Bush and Obama administrations. It was a pack of lies – weapons of Mass Destruction, ties with Al Qaeda etc. – destined to occupy Iraq, steal its wealth and keep it under control, regardless of “civilian casualties”

israel is the biggest threat to the United States. We can stop this madness. All we have to do is round up and arrest every evil zionist supporter in the U.S.. shoot them all after a brief trial for being traitors to our nation.

Step 2: We bomb israel to make them obey. No more wars of aggression. No more racism. No more zionism ideology.
and most importantly, we MUST BOMB israel because they have 400 nuclear bombs that they use to threaten their neighbors.

WE must provide a NO-FLY Zone over israel and a naval blockade to make them understand the power of the U.S.

True enough. Hezbollah would also get some of the radiation effects. Israel has the second strike ability to retalitate after being nuked. These are reasons why most of these hysterical claims regarding the Iranian threat need to be more carefully evaluated logically and in a thorough manner.

The same things were said about the Russian, Chinese, and Pakistanis as they got nukes. Some Chinese probably said the same things about India before they went nuclear.

Truth is, if Iran had nukes they could then deter attacks, they could no longer be bombed at will. That is what really worries the Israel and other countries, that Iran could meet them more as an equal. It also raises Iran's prestige in the region and in the world.

Besides the fact that having nuclear power at home means they can sell more oil and natural gas for cash.

Genius thinking @ Mike.... but who said that Iran would nuke israel?.... this is just a zionist propaganda to urge the West to nuke Iran....
But I give you a jew who said that israel could Nuke most of the European capitals if they refrain from striking Iran @

Iran's missiles will take out our fleet in the Persian Gulf when our zionist master tells obama to attack Iran.

It's what we need . . . .and that is an ass-whooping.

We go around pushing on the little countries in the world around like we own them and being goaded on by the dirty evil zionists. Doing their dirty work, while they make billions of dollars off us, while our people do all the dying and spending our treasure, for their (zionists) wars.

When have you seen the idf fighting along side the U.S. military in any of the past wars in the middle east? When and where?

It is bound to happen. Some little country is going to whoop our butts – oh yeah, I forgot, Vietnam whooped our butts. So did Korea.

America, controlled by the dirty evil zionists, is a terrorist state. Sorry George Washington, America is a rouge state and Iran is going to whoop our butts with the help of China and Russia. You'll see.

Dang shame to know our once great country has been taken over by the DIRTY EVIL zionists.

What we really should do is Nuke all you Nazi Loving skinheads
"Master Sergeant Jo 5th Special Forces Group (Green Beret) Ft Campbell KY

February 28, 2012 at 10:04 am |

American Teenager

Iknow of China's desire for control but their problem is a little something called the Pacific Fleet that was there first and there really isn't much they could do about it if they could. The Chinese are not a naval power but they%e trying. Even if they could match us ship for ship they don't have the experience training and experience to fight us effectively. I'm not even going to mention our dominance in space with satellites. But they do have missile batteries that could be problematic but that is the most deadly weapon they could deploy. So to sum up the Chinese may be ambitious but so were the Japanese and looked what happened to them and and they were in far better shape for a war.

The time to turn Iran into the worlds largest parking lot is now. The time do deal directly with Iran is long past due. The world has been patient and it is time to deal with Iran in a way that they will understand.

The whole world is a threat to US national security so why not just wipe out the rest of the nations of the world? It is, of course the US that constantly threatens world security as if its national security is the only thing important enough to consider. You know that the US is the biggest supporter and exporter of terrorism in the world and has been for decades. It makes Iran look like a piker in this respect. Americans call it covert operations but that is a euphenism for terror. Also consider where the US is located in the Western hemisphere and where its naval fleets and military like to hang out half way across the world causing strife and destruction, and you wonder why they hate you? Well it isn't because of your so called freedoms that's for sure.

Well at least you're not in the closet. In fact, you're quite open about your stupidity.

February 18, 2012 at 10:22 pm |

Tom

The only thing that should be nuked is your fast food diet meals. Happy Cancer for you!

February 23, 2012 at 9:33 am |

Bullshit-O-Rama

We can sail our ships along anyone else's coast, but imagine the shit-storm of fear and panic were someone to do it to us. Americans have no fucking idea how much we are despised around the world. All that good-will we accumulated during WW2 is a distant memory.

@Seriously,
there is only 2% jews in US. US population is 300million mind u. n iran not treating any jew in US. Iran not against jews just like US not against islam. U can save lives by leaving iran alone. Israli have issue with iran, let them solve it. War with iran will give catastrophic results, all countries other than US,Canada, europe(bankrupt) n india support iran.

Not another war. The recessions and job cuts will get worst n not better. If iran has nuclear weapon, let them live with it. There is no threat to US, US has enough measures to prevent any attack. In the Jews have issue, let them sort it out. If US wants to help prevent lose of life, it should help end civil wars in africa n asia. Millions of people have died as a result of civil war. dont give the crap humanitarian war to invade oil rich countries n Israel enemy. Israel is a small country n should act like one n not try to dominate the region.

leave iran alone. Who doesnt have a nuclear weapon? US,chine,russia n list goes on n on. except US, no one has ever used nuclear/atom bomb on anyone coz everyone knows it will lead to world's end. U dont mess with iran, iran will not mess with u. CNN stop propaganda. IF israli has problem with iran, let the jews deal with it. There is only 2% jews in US for god sake

First of all, this Iranian president is by far the dumbest man I've ever seen. This weirdo thinks the holocaust never happened. He also clearly said that Israel should be wiped off the map!! Now, you tell me why Israel wants to take out this regime! A highly educated and intelligent president would never say such a stupid thing. I don't recall Kim Jong Ill ever saying lets wipe america off the map, and they have nukes. As president of a nation, every word you speak should be taken seriously and maturely. this iranian president clearly uttered words that he will regret.

He cant be dumb, he is the president of iran. He SAID wants to wipe israle off the map and Israle ACTING on wiping iran. Its a prob between israle n Iran. If US, gets involved, it will become global problem. Best thing to do is, leave IRAN alone. If israle wants to cause regime change of another country, its their problem.

February 18, 2012 at 2:02 pm |

impondering

You need to understand the intricacies of the Iranian government in order to understand where Ahmadinejad fits in. His title is President, but Khamenei pulls the strings on most things. To be eligible for election as President, a candidate has to be approved by the Guardian Council, 1/2 of which are appointed by Khamenei and the other 1/2 of which are jurists elected by the Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly from among the candidates put forth by the Head of the Judicial Power, who is appointed by Khamenei.

As far as Iranian Presidents go, Ahmadinejad is fairly defiant of Khamenei seeing as how he can be removed by Khamenei. He is also far from dumb, but politically savvy given the make-up of the Iranian govt. He may say provocative things that follow the Khamenei party line, but there is more going on there than a bearded bigot with a microphone.

February 18, 2012 at 2:46 pm |

Bullshit-O-Rama

Many, many Americans (not me) share his views on Jews and the holocaust. Deal with it.

February 18, 2012 at 10:24 pm |

Say No to Sheeple

Way to 'Believe' everything the MSM says. If you do a little research you will find that the supposed statement of 'Wiping Israel off the Map' was mistranslated. He said to get rid of the ZIONISTS which everyone in Israel is NOT. Ofcourse idiots like yourself can only restate what the TV told you and are not able to critically think for yourself. It must be the American Education system at work again!

February 23, 2012 at 10:37 pm |

Chris

The biggest problem that exists today is that one religion can't understand the other. There is sometimes little acceptance of that fact and that is one of the biggest reasons for war. Is it muslims that don't want a jewish state? or islamic clerics? or Iran? This is where the situation becomes foggy. People start stereotyping and not to mention grudges held by middle eastern families, and this is why feuding continues in the middle east. Unfortunately America has become an integral part of that situation and may instead be turned on. It's not just in the middle east, America has had it's share of feuding families as well but the middle east seems to take to an all new level (suicide bombers) hey it's babaganush owner of happy jihad, one way truck rentals ...

In part I agree with you: All we are is just people who envy God. If the only master were God this place would peaceful, but people are confused. Religions are supposed to bring back people to God, but people have learned erroneously that they can be like God an submit their brother. It is a pity.

America is the root of all terror. America has invaded sixty countries since world war 2. In 1953, America overthrow Iran's democratic government and installed a dictator. During Iran-Iraq war America supported Saddam and killed one million Iranian people. In 2003, America invaded Iraq and killed 1,000,000+ innocent Iraqi and displaced 4,000,000+ Iraqi.

No one wants the horrors of a nuclear war. Iran is right to say that it wants nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Currently Iran can be attacked but once it obtains nuclear arms then they will in essence gain immunity hence the peaceful purpose statement Iran intends for it. Then again it's just something to say to attain that capability without arising too much suspicion, although the suspicion is quite high. Iran is quickly becoming nuclear independent. I do not think Iran will launch a nuclear weapon to Israel but then again if they wanted to they would only get one chance and that's pretty much all they would need. Then the world becomes a very very dangerous place especially when religion is involved. Take for example if Khadfi had nuclear weapons his country would not be attacked. This is what Iran wants as well, immunity. But Iran is treading a fine wire. However if it took the U.S. 3 years to build one from scratch, how is it not possible that Iran doesn't already have one with so much nuclear technology already in their country. Perhaps they have untested designs already built. Besides a country wouldn't test the weapon unless it already had a proven delivery system in place. You can't test your only one if you had just one (what sense does that make), especially if your under the threat of an attack. You'd need to stock pile a few possibly 5 to 10 before an actual test was made not to mention a delivery system that can get it to your target. On a ballistic missile? via submarine? or via plane -that ones probably out of the question? or launched by boat? Missile launch from Iran is probably still too unreliably accurate. I would have to guess that they would have to have boats or submarines in place before such an action were to occur. I would worry about what their navy was doing more so than anything else. Take for example two Iranian warships that passed into the mediterranean this week (they are testing the water, and probably seeing how close they can get to areas without incident. Then make a threat (wether it's real or just a dangerous game of poker), cause the price of oil to skyrocket and close the strait of Hormuz. Israel is thought to have nuclear weapons but no one really knows – Iran could play the same game but many people might believe they are bluffing. It would be the most dangerous game of poker in the world.

I already think the middle east is in an arms race. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey most likely already have plans in place to work on nuclear ambitions and have probably already have preparations underway. Iran is too defiant. The only thing that scares me is the fact that Iran thinks it can do what ever it wants and the biggest part is the uncertainty over what it might do with Israel.

If you watch the c-span telecast of the testimony of Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, you'll see that he does not agree there is an imminent Iranian nuclear threat. Although Sen. Lieberman tried to lead him into overstating Iran's nuclear capabilities, Clapper refused to go there. Instead, he said there were three key items that he'd be willing to relay in a closed session that Iran has not done that, if Iran did do those things, would suggest they were trying to get a nuclear weapon. In other words, the intelligence community is monitoring at least three benchmarks that Iran would need to hit to get a bomb, none of which they have made any effort to do.

Here's a question for the US Congress (in particular Lieberman, McCain, and Graham, the last two of which suggested to the Director of National Intelligence that he do more homework on issues when Clapper disagreed with their desire to arm the Syrian opposition): What's the point of asking for the intelligence if you're going to ignore it and posture in the media as if it doesn't exist?

If Iran wants peace all it has to do is stop threatening israel. Next to israel most jews live in the US. You mess with israel, you mess with the US. FYI, Britain captured palestine from the turks then gave it to the jews after the holocaust. Later after the 6 day war, Israel captured land from the countries who tried to massacre them, fair enough. You lucky they didnt do what you wanted to do to them. There is no such thing as a Palestinian, they are simply refugees of war trapped in Palestine. The nation of Palestine disappeared a long time ago. If you think the "palestinaians have some kind of special right to the no mans land they ended up in then you no nothing about history and are confusing this refugee camp with a nation that no longer exists. We all no where this is going.....WAR. I feel for all the people of the middle east, spurred by the evil of false leaders and the evil of Islam and their satanic God. I dont see the Muslim world as my enemy but rather a victim and captive of a satanic false God who will fall with him.

THE WAY OUT OF RECESSION IS NOT BUDGET CUTS, IT'S NOT SUPPORTING ISRAELI WARS. WE SPENT OVER .5 BILLION DOLLARS A DAY IN IRAQ, FOR WHAT? TO ELIMINATE ISRAEL'S ENEMY AND NOW WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH BUDGET CUTS AND MORE TAXES.

Are this people for real ? after all the proven lies, we heard before. They still doing it again. Do they think people are that stu""pd? director of national intelligence ,saying things like that, a kid could do better . Every threat, they talked about is new, happen recently, while the US sanctions are way beck 30 years, so what was the reasons then ? let say 30, 20, 15,10, 5 or let say 2 years ego ?
Now it said Iran are a threat. To who the US or israel ? it said Iran support Hezbollah and Hamas, both are israel enemy and not the US, it said they kill American solders in Iraq and afghanistan, no one ask them to go there and invade and kill those people . What are they doing in there in the first place, if not killing innocent people. Next it said Iran is clearly a direct threat to us, but he didn't clearly say why and how. The only answer is if Iran become a nuclear power, whether with or without a bomb, everyone will try to be smarter and do what Iran did, it doesn't have to be nuclear,, as they say but in all other things, everyone would want to have it own satellite, build it own weapons and so on and no one will buy anything from the west, except maybe food, that is a threat to national security, loose of wealth witch it will happen with or without Iran, people are getting smatter by the day and all of them want things , people are learning ways to get trhings sheep or build them themselves this is life nothing stay the same, every day is different, but the ignorant could not understand, even those in high places like sen McCain to ignorant to this sample fact.

Anyone in their right minds will advocate to putting an end to this nonsense. We have on one side, Iran minding their own business and making childish threats. On the other, we have an occupational ISRAEL that wants to engage Iran, but doesnt want to spill Zionist blood in the process. They want America to do their dirty work for them. Quite frankly, Israel knows it doesnt stand a chance against Iran. After all, it couldnt even defeat the guerrila organization Hizbollah!!! They are too busy firing rockets at innocet Palestinians and occupying MORE land. The world sits back and watches, and the media diverts our attention to stupid things like who swore at who and who was snoring the loudest when congress was in session. Why do we never hear about the atrocities committed in Palestine?????? If Israel wants to engage Iran, they should do so of their own accord. America has done more than enough damage in trying to save people. If is forgetting that its own people are suffering. Tax money should not be used to support people who dont even care about this nation. Serve your own people America. Serve and you will prosper. Fight and you will see the end of the roman empire replicating itself because you will go bankrupt before you know it.

I applaud Obama for staying strong and not attacking Iran based on mere presumption. If we had any conservatives in there, we would have made a 51st state: Israel...

we all need to stop trying to kill each other. Work with diplomacy. Isnt that why the UN was created? and isnt what we are doing now part of the reason the league of nations failed??

What did Iran ever do to us? They fund and support Hezbollah and Hamas both of which are not doing anything to us. Both are anti Israel, fighting Israel. In fact Iran has more of Bin Lauden's family members in jail than any other country. Israel has a problem with Iran and wants us to fight Iran to eliminate his enemy with out spilling Jewish blood just as they did Iraq. In the 80's Israel destroyed Iraq's nuclear facility as a result Iraq became a threat to Israel. They talked us into going to war for them and now It's Iran. We die we go broke for Israel. Israel is not an ally, it's a liability. Even Israeli lobbiest themselves say that U.S. should eliminate Israel's enemies. Even U.S. intelligent chief said Iran is not making Nuclear bombs and is not likely to attack us first. But Israel wants us to believe otherwise just as they did with Iraq and it's supposedly support for Al Quada, and WMD. THE WAY OUT OF RECESSION IS NOT BUDGET CUTS, IT'S NOT SUPPORTING ISRAELI WARS. WE SPENT OVER .5 BILLION DOLLARS A DAY IN IRAQ, FOR WHAT? TO ELIMINATE ISRAEL'S ENEMY AND NOW WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH BUDGET CUTS AND MORE TAXES.

February 18, 2012 at 9:30 am |

really?

you bet i dont know much about iran and israel? what makes you say that? I am not some ignorant fool who forms opinions on mere speculation. I do my research and study both sides of the argument. if you did the same, you would see the logic in my argument.

All Im saying is Im sick of all this hostility. everyone just needs to mind their own business and coexist. I dont care who was promised land and who was not. the fact is that America is a secular state so that promised crap shouldnt even play a role in the defence of israel.

as far as America's interest in the region: yeah...they see another bully coming into the playground and they want to ensure they remain the only ones taking the kids' lunch. Also, look at the trend...saddam stops using the dollar as the trading currency for Iraq's oil and he gets kicked out. the same happens with ghaddafi...Iran's next.

The logic that america wanted to help libya is mere rhetoric. if it was true, why didnt we see them get involved in egypt? what about bahrain? why is everything so quiet about that uprising? and also syria...all we hear is that assad should stop. nothing about we will intervene for the so called american freedom.

I suggest you do some research and wake up to the realities of Israel and America's politics...

February 18, 2012 at 10:05 am |

mike

if you can not understand the great risk that Iran posses with nuclear capabilities, then you really are living in a false reality. Iran is not a country built on fundamentals and logical thinking. They are a country of extremist's and if you allow them to build their own arsenal of weapons capable of mass destruction you can bet on facing "cold war" like conditions for the rest of your life. Right now their threats are weak because they do not have anything to back them up with, but the threat isnt now, or even in 5 years, its 10 maybe 15 years from now where instead of closing vital oil choke points with crappy rockets and pirate like ships, they will aim nuclear armed missiles. Imagine waking every morning with thought that Iran has armed nuclear missiles pointed at us, the UK and Israel. I don't want to live in that world.

Really. Here's a tidbit of information for you. The Palastinians hide their rockets in their own childrens schools and their innocent neighbors houses. They sneak them out and fire them at the Israelis. Then they run back into the schools and hide. Then they bitch and moan about Israelis attacking them. The Palestinians are too stupid to realize, STOP FIRING ROCKETS AT THEM AND THEY WILL STOP ATTACKING YOU BECAUSE OF THE ROCKET'S. The Israelis do not attack them for no reason. They attack them when there is a rocket fired at Israel. Now once again for the dumb-asses. STOP FIRING ROCKETS INTO ISRAEL AND THEY WILL STOP ATTACKING YOU WHEN YOU DO THAT. Frickin Muslims

If I come to your house and take your wife, then you will start beating me, then I start shooting at you... STOP BEATING ME you stupid, and then I will not shoot you.... I only shoot because you started bothering me ....

What is ethnic cleansing?... isn't it like this: President Franklin D. Roosevelt put it in 1942 [before establishing israel], “I actually would put a barbed wire around Palestine, and I would begin to move the Arabs out of Palestine…. I would provide land for the Arabs in some other part of the Middle East…. Each time we move out an Arab we would bring in another Jewish family…” .... and it was like this !! @

http://samibedouin.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/29/

February 18, 2012 at 5:20 pm |

Jo

You DIpshit. tThe only time Israeli's attack the Palastinians is when they fire Rockets at them. STOP FIRING ROCKETS AT THEM AND THEY WILL STOP WHOOPING YOUR ASSES!

February 20, 2012 at 7:03 pm |

Bullshit-O-Rama

Good lord! You idiots will believe anything that Washington and Tel-Aviv cram down your throats.

February 18, 2012 at 10:28 pm |

American Teenager

Jo, do you think China or Russia would step in if we start fighting Iran? If they do could we handle them? I'm actually looking for your opinion and knowledge as a soldier. I put some other posts earlier on this topic and some people still think that China and Russia would fight us and might beat us. I think that China and Russia wouldn't do anything about it and even if they did we wouldn't be overly challenged beating them. I'll state my basic arguments about why China and Russia wouldn't really have a chance against us. 1. Russia's military is not the military it once was. Severe funding cuts and stagnation of their military have made the "Rompin' Stompin' Red Ass" a thing of the past. And whatever formations they did have that are i good enough shape to fight us are stationed on the EU border and they would not be moved due to the Russians' paranoia of being attacked by German, British, American, and maybe French formations. If they did attack into Europe to try and draw attention away from Iran their forces would not last very long. Their military doctrine is a good strategy but only if you have the tools to do it properly, and right now Russia does not have those tools. That doctrine was the exact same doctrine that was used by Iraq in the First Gulf War and look what happened to them, unfortunately for those Russian soldiers it will most likely be a magnified repitition of history. In terms of getting troops to Iran the best they could do was move maybe a few Airborne and Motor-Rifle Divisions backed up by some fighter regiments. Their Black Sea Navy would obviously sortie out of port but I think we could, along with the British, French, and Italian Navies could handle their ships pretty roughly. Their other fleets would most likely be equally mauled if they make it out of port. Their Air Force would be a challenge at first but still wouldn't last long. But their biggest weakness will be their homefront. If the Russian people see their soldiers being massacred trying to fight to defend Iran of all people they would not be too happy and force their government to sue for peace.
2. China on the other hand will be in a rather ackward postion for us to fight. Their military is designed as a defense force, to be moved by rail to the Area of Operations. They have next to no air lift capacity and whatever heavy lifters they do have are not capable of moving large formations of armourred units to where the biggest tank-on-tank battles would occur, Iran and Eastern Europe. Their navy isn't half bad but as soon as they form up into battle groups, if they make it that far, the Pacific Fleet will be right on top of them. Their subs would be wiped out in the first days and their naval bases would be laid to waste. But they have one other ally that would most definitly exploit this and attack. North Korea would surely invade South Korea, with the help of China who's army won't really have anything better to do. Russia would keep its Siberian forces on its coast for fear of invasion from Alaska. But if Japan's military is turned loose in Korea along with some Marine Expeditionary Groups, a few Army Divisions, a couple of Carriers and constant air strikes, and South Korea's own military then it will be a rather large sideshow trying to draw our attention away from Iran who's military we would have already decapitated and would be over running their defenses while wiping out their allies' reinforcements. China would obviously try and attack Taiwan but a combination of the Pacific Fleet's Carriers and Taiwan's own Air Force would easily hold China's attempts at bay. Eventually China's people would be distressed at their soldiers dying for Iran and then would sue for peace.
3. I know that whatever casualties we sustain would be very few because of our soldiers' relentless training at exactly this type of warfare along with extensive battlefield experience and our potential enemy's lack of battlefield experience. But the only the public would get behind this "war" is if Russia and China strike first.
I'm sorry for the long read I got carried away. But I say all of this as what I believe would actually happen from reading up on the classic Soviet style of warfare, Russia's military capbilities, China's military capabilities, our military capabilities, the way the people of those nations have changed in the way they support their governments' foreign policy. I know I outlined a WW3 scenario and that the odds of this happening are basically zero, but I felt that is the way it might happen and why I think the US and our allies would come out on top.

Good points, finally some logic among these comments. I see youve read the bear and the dragon, and i have to agree with you that china's military is more of defense force. I also have to say that i highly doubt that either would back up iran, china wants to maintain its economic partnership with us at all cost, and russia, well russia is trying to survive and rebuild its economy while trying to deal with corruption.

In the 1980s, climate scientists in Russia and the U.S. theorized that all-out nuclear war between the superpowers would result in a "nuclear winter," as smoke from the atomic explosions blackened the sky and sent summer temperatures plummeting below freezing — killing crops and eventually starving all those who survived the initial explosions. Now that the risks of an all-out U.S.-Russian exchange have diminished, scientists are looking at the climactic effects of regional nuclear war — and the predictions are still sobering. So do you still think the US can win a war to Russia or reversal? There will be no winner. Your comment, American teenager, is well written, however, I hope these two superpowers will never go to war. You have a great and peaceful week end.

Socrates, did you know that the Russians and the US, back in the Cold War had dedicated programs for defending against an ICBM attack. Moscow still has dedicated batteries of these anti-nuc weapons and the US has been making huge strides foward with our radar and interceptor missiles and prototype lazer designs (although I don't currently know their status). Some good examples are the Aegis Cruisers of the US Navy. So I'm fairly sure a single nuc being launched could be shot down given enough warning.

February 17, 2012 at 11:10 pm |

Bozzy

The concept of "Nuclear Winter" was a hoax instigated by the KGB, which got picked up and promoted as real by Carl Sagan and environmental groups. One of the KGB's most successful acts of propaganda. It was an attempt to prevent installation of American missiles near the Soviet border. Source: Sergei Tretyakov, KGB defector, in the book "Comrade J.: The Untold Secrets of Russia's Master Spy in America after the End of the Cold War" Good book.

February 22, 2012 at 4:57 pm |

taliyo

They have no chance in a conventional war. I agree about Russia. Did you see them riding on top of their armored transports because that was safer than riding in them? THAT WAS IN WAR... with Georgia. And China's army has zero combat experience. I recently saw a video of them training without shirts on in the snow to make themselves "tougher". I was thinking that Seal Team 6 would wipe the floor with them.

To everyone stating that the nukes we dropped on Japan saved millions of lives, you need to go and check your history books again. The war was virtually over and Japan was ready to surrender, however they wanted to surrender to China and the US simply could not allow them to surrender to such a tyrannical communist regime. But this of course was before China supplied 95% of Walmart's products.

Looks like you missed a chapter in your history book, the japanese were not prepared to surrender and until 2 days after the last bomb was dropped was telling its citizens over loudspeakers to resist the american dogs in case of an invasion, using pitch forks, rifles, and primitive IEDs. The proposed invasion of japan, or X day, was forcasted to cost 1 million + american and allied lives, and no alternate solution was proposed until truman got word of the success of the bomb tests. Still after the two bombs it took the combined threat of more H bombs, a Soviet invasion through manchuria, and continued conventional strategic bombing. So please before you speak of opening up history books, open up one that isn't less then 40 pages long. As for china, it was not even a formidable fighting force before or right after the war.

China was not communist then, the communists took over in 1949. The Japanese were not trying to surrender to the Chinese. They asked the Soviet Union to intermediate a conditional surrender for them. The Soviets agreed, but did
not relay the message, presumably because they wanted to invade Manchuria, and pick up some land. However, we knew that the Japanese had made contact with the Soviets because we had broken their diplomatic codes.

We were not interested in a conditional surrender, i.e. one that would allow the Japanese to keep some of their possessions, and keep their government in place, in fact we wanted to and did hold war crimes trials (unfortunately
fairly limited ones) for their top leaders. The Japanese surrendered to us because we agreed to allow them to keep their Emperor, before that they had resisted the idea.

And it is important to remember that, even once the Emperor had given the order to surrender, many super-militant Japanese military officers did not want to go along, and some actually attempted a coup against the Emperor to prevent the broadcast of the surrender order. So, the idea that Japan was about to surrender *before* the atomic bombs needs to be examined more closely. They were offering something less than full surrender, exactly how much isn't clear, and probably will never be known. We were holding out for full surrender, and settled for an almost full surrender after the A-bombs were dropped. We definitely felt that the Japanese government needed to be removed, and put on trial, and there's some good reasons for that, especially the massive atrocities they committed in China and the Phillipines.

How much Bullshit have you been fed? They would have fought to the LAST MAN. Killing possibly millions of their own and ours. And as an active member of the 5th Special Forces I can tell you from experience, When someone decides to fight until death, It's mighty tough to get them out of their hole and lives are lost. So you not ever facing death have no room to talk. If you served in our military and faced death through combat action you could talk, but you aren't and you should shut your face. If we had the bomb earlier they would have dropped it earlier. They didn't want ONE more of our troops to die so they dropped the bomb and guess what. they gave up and it saved millions of lives so you just go do something else because you a extremely misinformed

And by the way – you were never a member of anything. In fact, you are so full of shit, I'm surprised you don't lift up and float away.

February 18, 2012 at 10:33 pm |

5th Marine

@Jo: 1st, thanks for your service. 2nd, I know whereof you speak, as I had the privilege of serving as a "grunt" in the 5th Marines during '68 – '69 in the lovely tourist spot of An Hoa, Quang Nam province, Republic of Vietnam. Shame a grenade and an AK ended my "vacation". Shame also that a humanitarian student (Thomas) knows so much more about combat than those of us that actually participated in same. 3rd, you have me jealous that you got to use slicker "toys" than us ancients got to use.

I could not believe some of the reply's you got from your posts. Almost makes me want to go out and hug a Palestinian, Iranian, and Pakistani. There are actually people who think the Palestinians are noble warriors who shield their qassam rockets from reprisal by keeping them in schools and mosques? No way! And to Thomas, you really think you earned your freedom because your mother squirted you out on American soil? You, though a student, have to be as dumb as butter. It's people like Jo, and his fallen comrades, that paid the price for you to be stupid.

For all the intelligentsia who've posted here, here is how it is. Iran wants the bomb, they want to destroy Israel (an ally of the US, with all the responsibilities that entails), and they want to dominate the Middle East. Only pussies would hide behind our shores, which aren't the safeguards they once were. If the US doesn't do anything Iran will control most of the world's petroleum market – you won't be able to afford to drive your nice new car, how sad. Also, such a display of cowardice would encourage China and North Korea to leverage the US away from our strategic concerns. American teenager: although I like your attitude boo-coo, I disagree with you on one point – don't underestimate Chinese naval desire. They want the western Pacific, and they want to disconnect our allies (Japan, S. Korea, the Philippines, etc). They also want to establish a lunar colony (so they can claim that the entire moon is theirs) which would enable them "point a gun" at us permanently, enabling them to fire a missile at us designed for an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that would cripple all of our electronic technology.

Finally, to Iran, drop the ludicrous saber rattling – you keep acting like a bad boy we'll spank your behind. As long as we keep our more idiotic politicians away from power (Iraq and Afghanistan was too much "deja vu) and the biased media away from all combat zones, we will prevail.

True about a Iran not being a worthy enemy. But it's our concern for our allies and the stability of the region that is what worries the US. But they have been directly responsible for the terrorist attacks that take the lives of our troops. And I like what you did with your name. Another Tom Clancy fan.

We have made good friends and allies. Examples: Germany, who we fought in two world wars and helped rebuild their nation and look at them now. Japan, attacked us at Pearl Harbor then we whipped them and dropped two A-Bombs on them (It was the only way to keep their population and leadership from fighting to the last and taking a million Americans with them) once again we helped rebuild and now they are a modern nation and steadfast ally in the Pacific. South Korea, saved them from the North Koreans and now they are a true force to be reckonned with. Russia, our most feared and powerful enemy of all time, we had a few close-calls but now we are far from enemies. And Great Britian, the nation we fought against to secure our independence and then fought again in 1812 and almost fought against in our Civil War. But now we are the closest of allies behind maybe Canada (whom we actually invaded in our Revolutionary War and in the War of 1812). France, our longest running ally whom we have been close to since the Revolutionary War, and helped them in WW1 then saved them in WW2. We are also close to India, Australia, the Philipines, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Taiwan, and China (depending on what parts of our relationship). To answer your questions about the US trying to make enemies, we are not out to start wars. We try to help out whenever we can, a good example being the recent Tsunami in Japan and Earthquake in Haiti. But you can't make everyone happy and our politicians have dropped the ball numerous times in Iraq, Vietnam, and Afgahnistan, and this very criticized relationship with Israel. Yes the US has made enemies, but we've made good friends along the way too.

February 17, 2012 at 8:50 pm |

Jo

Once again well said. Now if you really think about it If Iran were threatened to be wiped off the map by North Korea nukes, we probably would step in and save their asses. Special Forces Motto De Oppresso Liber, (Free The Oppressed). We are a world watchdog and we want everyone to have the EXACT same freedoms that we enjoy. To bad some dumb asses in power in some of these countries are on such a power trip. America would much rather have EVERYONE as it's allies and no enemies. Some goverments of the world want more than friends they want the power to bully others around. Comes down to the old saying. Can't we all just get along? lmao. You don't know how much I would love to be out of a job, because everyone would be allies. Makes ya say HMMMMM?

February 17, 2012 at 9:04 pm |

AcclaimedMan

A Paki nuclear explosion even on a dead American will be the sufficient cause for complete ANNIHILATION of Porkistan from the face of the earth for ever !!!

Pokries, don't play with FIRE and that too a BIG ONE !!!

We know your little brains are not able to estimate it properly, but when thing do happens it would be TOO LATE. But be assured you won't feel the pain of getting wiped out because of the vastness of the nukes you will be exploded with !!!

American Teenager, know well that Porkies don't have the ability to get even a pinch of what you have tried to explain them. Please use your valuable time for your own enjoyment rather than dealing with these Porky demons !!!

Calm down the racism buddy. Pakistan knows what would happen. Every country with a nuc has to read up on what our response would be if they employed a WMD. "You send one warhead at us we send a hundred." (And that applies to other classes of WMD's too).

February 17, 2012 at 9:00 pm |

Pakistan The Islamic Nuclear Power

Pakistan might be an American ally because of it's long term ties from the times of the Soviets but Israel is a natural enemy of Pakistan and Iran has brotherly ties with Pakistan. More close ties than China. Israel would think twice before attacking Iran because Pakistan is not going to sit quite and watch getting bombed. Even president Zardari has addressed that recently today. Pakistan will help Iran militarily if it has to. Iran is not going to fall as long as Nuclear Pakistan is there. America cannot see Israel getting attacked same applies to Pakistan when it comes to attacking Iran. Iran is Pakistan's Israel.

Lets forget about wars and spreading of the violence. This world already had enough wars. Let America not fight this time for some psychopath allies. Let there will be peace for atleast 10-20 years. No more wars.

February 17, 2012 at 8:43 pm |

American Teenager

Yes please no more wars. Enough people have died. If I were the President I'd give the Israelis a real earfull if they tried to get us to fight their battles for them. "You want to fight Iran? Fine, be my guest. But I will not send good American soldiers into harm's way for the sake of a nation who has not shown any real intelligent actions or had the guts to fight your own wars. What's that? You can't get your bigass tanks there? Oh too bad should've thought that one through."

February 17, 2012 at 8:55 pm |

Pakistan The Islamic Nuclear Power

Pakistan wont let Israel attack Iran. Lets not forget Pakistanis came from the Persian and Arab race but mostly from the Persians. 90% of Pakistanis support Iran and support nuclear strike on Israel if Iran is ever came under attacked by Israel.

Seriously? You couldn't even control your own airspace around one of your major cities and military academies. If a group of helicopters can fly in, attack a mansion just outside of town while losing one of the choppers in a simple crash, then kill everyone in it the compound, then fly away without being shot at, what makes Pakistan think it could remotely bother the US/UN/Israel if push came to shove.

Well said. I'll just be blunt. Pakistan wouldn't do S*%&T They are having enough problems within their own borders. They would not want to increase the problems they already have.

February 17, 2012 at 8:13 pm |

Pakistan The Islamic Nuclear Power

World economies are falling apart because of the two unnecessary wars which played a min role in bankrupting America and the Europe and now Israel planning to start another World War. Come on Guys why the world shall be ended so soon. America should shake hands with Iran and just forget about Israel for few years. It's not American obligation to fight wars for other psychopaths. Saving Israel is not American responsibility. Let them go to Hell.

February 17, 2012 at 8:40 pm |

TBT

Its too late to bomb Iran now. They have too much enriched uranium and one off target (or on target) bomb would cause an ecological disaster. We haven't bombed North Korea for the same reason. I also don't subscribe to the view that the Iranians are fanatics and will start flippin nukes around as soon as they get them. The Iranians are neither stupid nor fanatical. They fully understand that use of a nuclear weapon against israel (or anyone else) would mean the end of the Persian people and the nation of Iran. People forget the dynamics of the Middle East in that Irans rhetoric is aimed at the Sunni Arabs as well as Israel and the West. In fact, Iranian Shiites need desperatley to have nukes as a hedge against the Sunni Bomb (Pakistan).

Iran is going to get its bomb, we cannot prevent that now, But the North Korean experience shows us that the overall concept of deterrence still prevails. Iran will find out like all other nuclear armed nations have, that possession is psychologically pleasing, but using them means national suicide. Rather than isolating Iran, the international community should be looking for ways of engaging Iran. Nuclear deterrence should be backed up by a lowering of the rhetoric, ending Irans economic, political and social isolation,

Dude, never underestimate what the US military can do. Just ask Jo, he'd probably tell you we don't have to bomb a reactor to insure that it won't work. All you would need to do is break one or two key components and if the reactor is designed with the proper safety measures it should sense this and shut down automatically. And I'm sure Jo and his unit would be able to do that task if called upon. But I hope to God that it won't come to that and that both sides will just calm down the rhetoric and sit down and talk this situation over before someone gets hurt.

We have VERY Precise munitions now. It would not even come to us having to go to ground. We just look up to the foot of where we want to strike, send in a missile from 1000 miles away and say Poof Problem solved. We don't even have to go in behind lines and lase targets anymore punch in the gps position and bye bye

February 17, 2012 at 8:19 pm |

American Teenager

I'll trust your experience on that one. Just send me a before and after picture of that reactor.

February 17, 2012 at 8:24 pm |

Dani

While yes, Islam has been violent in recent years, keep in mind it is the youngest major religion currently. It's in its teen years, so to speak. Every existing major religion has been violent in its adolesence. Once it matures into an adult religion like Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, et cetera, the violence will decrease.

If you did your research instead of solely relying on propaganda and hearsay, you'd know the Quran doesn't teach them to go to war like you believe. The quote terrorists use as an excuse is taken out of context. The line they're using part of ACTUALLY says something to the effect of 'if you have tried EVERY peaceful negotiation tactic and giving into demands, and are still being opressed by ____, THEN you can go to war to defend yourselves.'

Thats right.. he doesn't agree with war so that makes him (and all other Obama voters) welfare recipients. It saddens me to see how arrogant and childish Conservatives are. I remember when the Intellectuals were on the Right and the thugs were on the Left just looking for a handout. Now it is like the thugs are on the Right looking to give their propaganda masters a handout. Perhaps when the older Fox News fans start croaking things will change. But, I doubt it.

February 17, 2012 at 7:45 pm |

Tom Clark

A large percentage of the US population is so easily scared into war by the US military establishment that it is scary. Imagine the nationalistic people of Germany before WWII. They believed what they were told? The elephant is in danger of the poodle,s vicious attack.

Germany had just been utterly humiliated by the Allies in WW1 thanks to the jacked up peace treaty. Their economy was ten times worse than ours is now, they had been barred from even having a military, they were having to pay ridiculous sums of payment to Britian and France, they had even lost some of their territory. Now does the US at the current moment seem anywhere near what the situation in Germany was before WW2?

February 17, 2012 at 9:10 pm |

onikami

to jo:

yes as crazy as it sounds let them have them! let them TRY to blow up isreal. we may be able to blow them to allah and back but they will never be able to come back from our reprisal and our big problems with them are over. do i want any of this? NO!! but how long can the rest of the world hold on to the nuclear secrets? most of the info can be found on the same medium you and i are confering on now. will they be so eager when they realize that they are endangering there own futures and the future of their children and grandchildren. they know they can only hit locally while we can hit globally. they know that except for terrorists they will never hit the usa and that are bombs are small enough to just hit them(figurativly speaking!!). you never know, we may just give them enough room to hang themselves with.

They do not CARE about their children or grandchildren They use them as human shields. It is exactly the same thing the Palestinians do. They keep firing rockets into Israel then they go and hide those rockets in schools or innocent civilians homes. Then when Israel strikes back after a rocket is fired at them they blame them for killing other palestinians. How about this? The Palestinian's stop firing rockets at Israel and Israel will stop responding to this. Israel doesn't just go and Hit the Palestinians, They only go in AFTER THE PALESTINIANS FIRE A ROCKET AT THEM! Once again,, STOP FIRING ROCKETS AND THEY WILL NOT GO AFTER YOU! They arm terrorist's ALL OVER THE WORLD. They want one thing. If you are not of the Muslim faith then you are marked to die, you do not deserve to live, you are an Infidel to them, and they do not care if they die or their children die because they are going to heaven and live in paradise, but only after they kill the Infidel! (that's us). That is what life is all about for them. Killing the Infidel so that they can live in paradise with their 72 virgins. AND THAT IS IT!

Jo, thank you for your service and the service of your unit. I know that Iran has been supplying terrorists who have been killing our troops and they deserve to pay dearly. But this should be between us and Iran UN stay out of our way.

Me and my fellow brother's appreciate that. However it is not about us. We do what we do for you and the rest of our country. We don't need another 911. It seems as if every-time we get one step ahead we have to take 3 steps back, due to Iran and it's well known terrorist funding. As an individual iI personally would have no reservations about us going in. However it will not come down to that. It will be largely a bombing campaign. Ground troops will probably be unneccesary. Probably a few Special Forces troops behind the lines lasing targets. deoppresso liber (Free the Oppressed. Is the special forces motto.

Jo, you're an idiot! You fought for who's freedom? My freedom? The only person who fight for freedom are the brave women whose courage brought us to light. I was born a free man at birth, son! And the history of wars is never for freedom when you go to another person's house to burn it up or steal their resources. I am a history student, lived in many wars, advocated millions refugees; that's just to tell you I understand the logic behind conflicts as a humanitarian. When you killing your fellow men, turned their children into fatherless and or their woman into widows, you did this not for my freedom. You're brainwashed! You fight to create lifetime enemies for you and myself just to let the rich get richer. War is for profit. The only hero in it is the one who at his home against the one who invades to take away his rights and steal his resources. Come back and say I'm your enemy because I disagree with you, my brother. Part of my brotherly love and duties is trying to have one of the family member like you realize when you wrong in your acts toward outsiders. We're more than animal by definition. We're humans, and we should be able to reason and live in peace with other people. Thanks, and good nite!!! 🙂

February 17, 2012 at 9:27 pm |

onikami

the qustion about letting them build nuclear whatever is moot. they are their own country who wants to stand on their footing. let them. but at least show the rest of the world that they will use the power responsibly and not as a negotition tool that will be used as a threat to their neighbors who don't believe in the same things that they do. all of this speculation would have been unnecessary had they let some people in to view what they are trying to do. yes other countries did not do the same at the time but they do now(for the most part!!). should everybody let everybody see what new weapons they are working on? no but if it has the power to totally destroy the planet that EVERYBODY
has to live on then i believe everybody should have a say in the matter. they could ease some of the tension themselves if they would allow other governments in to look at what they are doing. what if they make a boo-boo and cry to some one else to save them. we would be justified by saying that it is their own fault clean-up the mess yourself. japan is currently facing a problem of cleanup of nuclear proportions and has asked for outside aid. can they not ask the same before it happens again?

Master Sergeant 5th Special Forces Ft Campbell KY. Did I hear that right? Did you say let them have a Nuclear Weapon? Do you know what they said they will do if they get one? They will send it DIRECTLY TO ISRAEL!. They do not care about reprisals from us or anyone else! If they can kill the Infidel (US) and they die after they do kill us, That is EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT! they wish to die after killing the Infidel's. After all they get 72 Virgins for killing innocent Women and Children. Are you nut's? or just uninformed?

You know something what if all this bluster from Iran is actually aimed at getting a response from the presidential candidates so that Iran can have a clue about what to expect in the future if one of them is elected/reelcted?

They do like to rattle those sabers. I wouldn't get too worried about Iran. We could end a war with them with just one of our Carrier Groups. They may want to say that they are willing to die to kill the Infidel's but saying you will die for your country and it's beliefs, and actually doing it are a completely different thing lol Personally? I don't think they have the Brass Balls they claim to have.

It's sad to hear people (specifically in the US) cheer and talk about wars. I swear, if these clowns ever live a moment of police brutality, meaning experiencing the dificulties of being choked with gas at one of those protests, I'd bet they'll become pacifists by the following second if they're lucky to survive. They sit around talking about going to war with this country or that country and nuking them without think about the endless hatred they're plotting to create thereafter. We must not ignore the fact that when we loose one of our relatives at the hand of an ignorant community member, we tend to never forgive and forget the person who killed one of us. No country is loved by killing citizens of another nation. Better we live in peace with every nation and negotiate fairly for resources. If I pay $4 per gallon of gas at home, why can't the fat boys take $1.50 and go buy from their supliers oversea instead of killing and stealing it?

Well Tomas, I personally have never protested anything hard enough to merit choking on Cs. But I have lobbed many cannisters into enemy strongholds.< Active Duty Master Sergeant, 5th Special Forces SOG (Special Operations Group) Ft Campbell KY. I have seen Combat in Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury) Panama, (Operation Nifty Package) < We were not part of Operation Just Cause, We were part of the operation to capture General Noriega, after they killed four Seal Team Members and wounded eight more. (Operation Desert Storm) Iraq. (Operation Desert Shield) Iraq. (Operation Iraqi Freedom) Iraq.( (Operation Enduring Freedom) Afghanistan. Wounded in action twice. (Green Beret) So as you stage your sit down's Protesting what we do to keep your freedom. Things like dying, we are facing life and death decisions daily. So before you rattle on and on about you experiences protesting you better think about what my brothers at arms are doing so THAT YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO PROTEST! What's that? I think I hear your mother calling. Time to go upstairs to supper.

People get caught up in the macho crap, and talk about war like they were football games. It does not say much good about the human race. A tiny country 1/2 a world away requires action but we were able to co-exist with the USSR and China? After Iraq and Afghanistan one would think the US population would have caught on to the B.S. put out by the 'news' provided as truth by the US gov.

\Let`s look at the histery of america a little bit |For the most part we haven`t attacked anybody first, |We are a counter puncher. \But when we are attacked first we will not stop untill the people who started what ever mess it is are cought killed or brought before a crimmnil court somewhere the choice is theirs, And that goes for anybody that supports the attackers.

But I think Iran should be allowed to have a civilian nuclear program. It's economics, whatever oil they use on themselves is oil they can't sell. But if they have a nuclear power plant they can sell that oil and cut their dependency on imports of refined gasses for their energy needs. But only if their program is peaceful.

I agree with you there 100% But everyone knows they are after more than that. (Especially us waitng for orders every minute of every day). Nothing wrong with them wanting a peaceful, clean energy source. But one just has to listen to them to know that this is not what they want. They want the weapon. Here's a little site that might tell you a little about the Muslim faith ( The truth about the Koran- the ultimate truth. Read this and see what you think.

or we could ask nicely what they are doing and ask if we could come along and watch. when they tell us NO IT'S OUR TOY is what i worry about. but hey we learned the hard way about radiation poisoning let's let them learn it too. personally i think the circus could use a bigger freak show.

To be the only super power is the same basic principle as being an undefeated sports team. Everyone looks at you and wants to beat you because you're undefeated just look at the Plano Allen football game on youtube. Allen was undefeated and Plano East brought their A Game and showed that little man syndrome is a powerful motivator. It's the same thing going on with Iran wanting to be a super power, it's human nature

Well that would be nice. Iran Wants the weapon and once they get it they do not care who dies in their own country as long as they kill some Infidels (Us) first. once they drop the bomb on Israel it's ok if they die then

okay is iran a viable threat to the usa and most of it's major allies? no. and they should be treated as such. let them build the nuke. the moment they use it on one of our allies they become a credible threat. we pound them with conventional miltitary forces until they use one on their soil against us and their own allies. we pull out anybody that's willing to come with us for fear of their life or their family then we drop holy hell on them and put whoever is left in their homeland back into the stone age. that would about sum up the do nothing stance.

Sounds like the wish list dreamed up to discredit Saddam Hussain.
Do the public ever learn, or is the indoctrination to want more wars just too powerful?
Please, no more wars based on lies and the politics of hate.

some one wrote on here that iran president said suicide bombers are an invincible weapon. i beg to differ, what happens when they run out of volunteers? forcing someone to die for a cause means one less bullet in the clip. now if we could just get them to use them on each other.

listen people, iran doesnt have to do anything the usa or europe says
get over yourselves who do you think you people are?
just because some countries FEAR that iran might possibly make nukes doesnt give anyone the right to treat them like this until they produce a nuke and set it off in a country other than theirs its noones business
they have all the right to produce a substantial military force
look at the usa it has produced an military force that is unmatched by anyone they have built a force where pretty much no country can defend its self against them
no that is a weapon of mass destruction that no country should posses
what if the wrong people come into power in the US possessing that army
then my friends it will be too late

Only to save lives, had we not nuked Japan the death toll would have been a lot higher.

February 17, 2012 at 5:12 pm |

Joe

And several other nations have launched chemical attacks

March 7, 2012 at 6:42 pm |

American Teenager

What in the world has happened in this post? I'll see if I can get things back on track: Is Iran a threat to the US? Yes or No. Personally I do not believe they are a dirct military threat. I say that judging their military capability and ours.

They arm and train terrorists all over the world, They are a DIRECT threat to most of the planet. They have been giving weapons to terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq as long as we have been there. DO they stand a chance against our Military? No. One of our Carrier Groups could level Iraq, which is 4% smaller than our state of Alaska. They have promised that as soon as they get the Weapon that Israel has no right to exist. Basically they will try to Nuke Israel and they don't care what happens to them after that. Radical Islamist's like these are willing to turn Iran into a glowing sandbox as long as they kill the Israelites before they get hit. After all Most of them want to die and get their 72 Virgins and anyone that is not Muslim does not deserve to live.I am not just sitting in my mothers basement blogging like many of you. I am active duty Special Forces (Green Beret) out of the 5th Special Forces Group, Ft Campbell KY. I am making informed statements. I have fought in both Aphganistan and Iraq, Along with Panama, and Grenada. My current Rank is E-8 Master Seargent.

So you claim to be in the armed forces and making informed choices. However, you still conform to ignorant stereotypes regarding the Muslim people. If you look at your post, its silly. Iran would not put its people at risk just to get rid of the zionist scum bag. Also, if everyone reading this article just went and researched, they would see Iran never claimed they would wipe the zionists out. all they said was they are not deserving of that land. thats all. That does NOT mean that they wanna nuke them out of existence.

Furthermore, you have already fought two wars based on faulty information. So i dont know what kind of INFORMED choices you are making. If they align with the INTELLIGENCE about WMD or OSAMA Living in the Afghan mountains, then I seriously question the American CIA. You have NO PROOF of Nukes being developed in Iran.

Going along, if you look at history, America has fought – and initiated – more wars in the last two hundred years than any other nation. Iran on the other hand, has done nothing of the like. You americans who call yourselves founders of freedom censor your media, arrest your own protesters and have TWICE tried to destabilize Iran. Those Persians are HAPPY with their leaders. Live and LET LIVE. Stop interfering. you have a bankrupt country but are still trying to be superman. a dumb superman who doesnt know he's causing more destruction than rescue.

It sickens me that our world leaders are so busy killing each other, yes IRAN AND US...that we forget we are all HUMAN. ONE SPECIE. is it really that difficult to stop all the animosity?

and seriously, if the US is that concerned about nukes, let me see them disarm as an example to other nations. but that will never happen because this nation was founded on blood....blood of "minding their own business" native americans.

February 17, 2012 at 9:51 pm |

Jo

I noticed you said ,"You Americans, which points out that you are not an american. So you know what you should shut your face about something you know nothing about. I would bet, your a Palastinian using your children as human shields. You sound exactly like them. Your comment "Those Zionists" were another dead givaway. Why don't you Muslim Bastards take the rockets you shoot at Israel out of your schools, (where they are protected by your human shields frickin cowards) and out of your innocent neighbors houses and blow yourselves up with them. Frickim muslim

Tnx God it's democrat & not republican in govt if not they would have bn fighting many nations now by ending up geting there soldiers killed & d inocent people in d name of policing d world. Who send u msg 2 b d world police?

i don't agree with everything the united states does. i don't even believe it always does things for the betterment for the world or humanity. but what is everybody else doing? if america was not in afghanistan how many more would have froze to death? the people who live there know what tmeperamental mistress their own weather is. if they don't want to go in out of the cold with just a simple lean-to and fire that's there fault. and where was there own government while all of this was going on? to say that only america is to blame here is a fault of both logis and reason. could we have done something more?sure but so could the individual stuck in those circumstances. how have they survived previous winters? even if their house was blown up and their land a battlefield that's still not an excuse to huddle in the elements hoping for a hand out. what if we had not gone into their country and the taliban took over their house as a base. would they cry at america because we did not fight to get there house back? i see hobos in america warming themselves by barrel fires could they not do the same?

can anyone imagine a world where we did not get into our neighbors cookie jar? should we go to war with iran just because some of the bigger kids on the block have cooler toys?NO!! but if they decide to be bullies about then yes steps must be taken. iran is already trying to bully without it but can they be trusted once they get the toys for themselves?who is supposed to decide this? america? we have been both bullies and the bullied. does that make us any better? not if we did not learn from our mistakes. have we?most of the world tends to think so and americans themselves would say they know so. most americans when asked as individuals would not want even america to have nuclear destuction inthe hands of people who are not afraid to use it. is iran afraid to use the atom bomb? they should be. if not then there is your answer about the whole deal right there.

We live in a world economy! This is a struggle for power ... whose going to hold the power in the future? The governments who believe it is their role to control the people ... or the governments who believe that they should be controlled by their people. It's really "that" simple. It's not about a direct threat to national security ... it's about the threat of a nation who stones adulterers and homosexuals to death in the streets wielding nuclear power! I'm not necessarily stating that we should go to war to stop it, but I definitely feel that we should do everything in power to limit that countries presence in this world ... for future freedoms sake if nothing else!

for an exercise in all of your try this: america and it's allies suddenly and miraculously decide enough is enough.we pull up stakes in any country not aligned with us and does not want us there. we being hardy individuals to fence off countries that are hostile and do not intrude on their soil again while making it so anybody from these countries cannot come over to talk to us.(this is a stretch and a work of fiction so don't get hung up on politics/religion/economy to much) now the rest of us who sealed off the other people will go thru some kinds of hardship but not enough to truly slow us down much. how much will the ones not in our collective struggle? no more charitable aid, no more oil revenues, no more foriegn aid except for what they can provide for there allies, no more internet in their provinces except what their own governments provide for you. how long do you think you would survive on your own? could you survive without american(and allied)revenues filling your banks? do you think china or russia will continue to hold your hand? what's to stop them from conquering you in 30 to 50 years when they realize that the west won't step in to stop them?how long till your own power hungry gobble up anything they can get their hands on to get out of the predictament that they are in? will your own overlords be so kind as to let you live free and let have a voice of your own? can you function without us because we probably could without you. it would be a tough go for a while but we could come thru to the other side and be stronger for it, could you?the middle east that would agree to this would not be the middle east you would want. do you want your grandchildren to live in a world without knowing what it is like to be free to come and go as you please? never to have their dreams fulfilled, never knowing what having a voice that could say anything they wanted. always living on an island while the rest of the world touched the stars?never seeeing any of the worlds wonders except what they can see from their backyard? would you like to see them living in a world where everybody else views them as little more than barbarians living in a dusty corner of the world? how long do you think they would feel to be fenced in like an animal for the rest of their lives.

@onikami: Hey bro, what you saying it does not make any sence maybe to you, ppl have been living in this world for the past almost 15 or 20 yreas, with out all those fancy developed equipments, and they will continue to do so even when america its long gone.

sure they have been living without most of it that's not the point. alot of those countries also live without food,clean water,actual medical care, and a hope for the future. do you think some kid in sudan or congo want to live in permanent fear of their life. this is what modern comms brings to the world. the people who have see the have-nots and want to do something about it. that's what that kid in those countries wants. he wants oprah to see that he is living in hell on earth and wants somebody who is seeing it on tv or the internet to try and help fix that. it does not always help but at least he gets some aid rice to stop his bellybutton from touching his spine.

February 17, 2012 at 4:06 pm |

eddie russo

Do you know, right now in afghanistan in last few days close 65 ppl frooze to death. and let me gues which super power have control of that country,,,, Do they help ??? I say no because they are there to get more from them, I say is the other way around US goes to the poorest country to steal from them. just the british did it in the last 200 years.

February 17, 2012 at 4:18 pm |

cigarman

All of these CLOWNS who are advocating war are Chicken Hawks. I say, if they want to go to war so bad, then THEY should go to Iran and start Shooting, they probably would, but they are to afraid to do it. These people are just wanting to get into another war so that they can be profiteers. The United States is monetarily Broke. Where is the money going to come from?

We were monetarily broke when we were attacked in WWII as well ... actually even more broke than we are now statistically speaking. We didn't decide to do the wrong thing then ... we stood up against the barbarians then ... and we should continue to stand up against the barbarians of the world!

@JBD Think of what you just said. We joined WW2 because we were attacked. I have no remorse for the pounding we put to the Japanese after what they did to our boys in Pearl Harbor. The huge fundamental difference here is that Iran has done NOTHING to the US. The second they launch a missile at our soldiers who are protecting our country, I would be one of the first to say go get them. But this is not the case, and the Iranian leaders are not stupid enough to do this. They know the US and Israel are looking for a reason, and they will not give it to them. Why is this, because when the US or Israel attacks, as I sadly believe will happen, they will have the support of much of the rest of the world and possibly even condemnation from the UN since Russia and China are not on board with this. War is not the answer and even if they develop a nuke it won't matter. As Kannan has stated, Iran is more civilized than many of our so called allies, but you will never hear about the nonsense that goes on in Saudi Arabia or the UAE since they are our friends and our gov has to justify this.

February 17, 2012 at 3:36 pm |

Michael G

Jeff -- Wake up. They sponsor and encourage suicide bombings against NATO and The US -– Are you crazy -–how much provocation do you need --Do you need Ahmedinajad to come into your house and kill your children? Fool.

Remember as I posted before what Iran's leader thinks:

More denial -– Excellent and getting defensive too! Excellent, that may be a slight backbone growing. For anyone who has a short term memory or a dangerous and irresponsible philosophy like Skek....Here's a refresher on what Iran's leader thinks:

“In Iran, we don't have homosexuals like in your country. (Laughter) We don't have that in our country. (Booing) In Iran, we do not have this phenomenon. I don't know who's told you that we have it. (Laughter)”

"We don't shy away from declaring that Islam is ready to rule the world."

"The wave of the Islamist revolution will soon reach the entire world."

"Our revolution's main mission is to pave the way for the reappearance of the Twelfth Imam, the Mahdi."

"Soon Islam will become the dominating force in the world, occupying first place in the number of followers amongst all other religions."

"Is there a craft more beautiful, more sublime, more divine, than the craft of giving yourself to martyrdom and becoming holy? Do not doubt, Allah will prevail, and Islam will conquer mountain tops of the entire world."

"What is important is that they have shown the way to martyrdom which we must follow." [President Ahmadinejad's comments on an aircraft crash in Tehran that killed 108 people in December 2005].

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad praised his country's ability to recruit "hundreds of suicide bombers a day," saying "suicide is an invincible weapon. Suicide bombers in this land showed us the way, and they enlighten our future”…. to commit suicide was "one of the best ways of life."

"By the grace of Allah, we (will be) a nuclear power."

"The Islamic republic of Iran has the capacity to quickly become a world superpower. If we believe in ourselves... no other power can be compared to us."

"I believe the German people are prisoners of the Holocaust. More than 60 million were killed in World War II . . . The question is: Why is it that only the Jews are at the center of attention? We say that if the Holocaust happened, then the Europeans must accept the consequences and the price should not be paid by Palestine. If it did not happen, then the Jews must return to where they came from."

"You [the United States], who have used nuclear weapons against innocent people, who have used uranium ordnance in Iraq, should be tried as war criminals in courts."

If you don't feel threatened after reading this and believe that this leader should have a nuclear bomb, you need some serious help.....

February 17, 2012 at 3:49 pm |

Jeff

@Michael G – I would like to commend you for actually having a somewhat intelligent response to my post after YOU are finished being defensive before I even have a chance to respond. Likewise I will not make silly comments about a Iranian killing your family as this has no relevance to the story at hand. Likewise it would seem that where I lack as you say in backbone I gain in maturity, but again that's irrelevant to this story as I hardly see where name calling makes any difference. If you are referring to my telling someone to shut up after their simplistic meaningless response, then I do agree that I did take that low road with that, but really if you have nothing relevant to the add to the conversation than please do not waste my time.

First I would like to make clear that I have not once stated that I think Ahmadinejad and Iranian regime are of sound mind and should have nukes. As I've stated in numerous other posts I don't believe that ANY country or human for that matter should possess nuclear weapons as no human is of sound enough mind to possess that much destructive power. All I have simply said is that is not the US's place to decide what country gets what weapons when they clearly pose no credible threat to us. Secondly, the Iranian regime embracing Islam within the government I completely disagree with as well. I disagree with this as much as our leaders embracing Christianity within the US gov, but I suppose it's convenient for you to ignore this fact.

I suppose that fact that Donald Rumsfeld was putting Bible verses on the intelligence briefings he presented GW during the Iraq war is irrelevant to you. Great example, a photograph of Saddam Hussein included a quotation from the First Epistle of Peter: 'It is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.' And on an image of U.S. tanks rumbling through the Victory Arch monument in Baghdad was a quote from Isaiah: 'Open the gates the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps the faith.' And another great one, a photograph of U.S. tanks in Iraq used a further passage from Isaiah: 'Their arrows are sharp, all their bows are strung, their horses' hoofs seem like flint, their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind.'

I am Christian and American both but I strongly disagree with this behavior. If it's any wonder why other countries leaders do this, you need not look far to see it happens on both sides of the isle.

And since you list the quotes that Ahmadinejad has said, I thought I might remind you of what our great American leaders have stated as well, the first set coming from one of the members of this coalition beating the drum for an Iran war.

"Maybe that´s a way of killing them." Response to a report that $158 million in cigarettes have been shipped to Iran during Bush´s presidency despite restrictions on U.S. exports to that country.

"You know that old Beach Boys song, Bomb Iran? Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." He actually sang this at a VFW meeting after being asked about sending a message to Iran.

"I´d institute a policy that I call "rogue state rollback." I would arm, train, equip, both from without and from within, forces that would eventually overthrow the governments and install free and democratically elected governments."

And lets not forget the nuggets of wisdom from good ole GW.

"God told me to strike at Al Qaeda and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did, and now I am determined to solve the problem in the Middle East. If you help me I will act, and if not, the elections will come and I will have to focus on them."

"Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."

"This crusade, this war on terrorism is going to take a while."

"I appreciate that question because I, in the state of Texas, had heard a lot of discussion about a faith-based initiative eroding the important bridge between church and state."

Again as I've state previously I don't believe in war or weapons or anything that has to do with harming people. We the people of the US, and all people around this world, do not need another war with so much destruction in the middle east. While you are all touting our successes in Iraq, lets not forget the 1 million plus lives lost to sectarian violence that DID not exist until we ousted Saddam. Lets also not forget about how the Afghans poppy production is higher now than it has ever been since the US ousted the Taliban. Were these leaders great, no of course they weren't, but we are not the police of the world and have no business attacking countries that pose no threat to us. The only country that has threatened to wipe the US off the map that could actually do it was the USSR and even with them we would have dialog with their leadership, unlike that of Iran.

You call me a fool because I'm not scared of a Muslim country that is on the other side of the globe and wouldn't have any concern for us if we weren't verbally attacking them. What I'm truly scared of is my children having to go to war to support these warmongers we call leaders so they can continue profiteering off of American blood, so if you want this war so bad then I hope you get it. But it won't be my kids over there dying for this non-sense I promise you that!

February 17, 2012 at 9:29 pm |

Michael G

Sit on your hands Jeff and wait until the action comes to you Nowhere Man.

Cowards like you are the reason why these terrorist regimes have any ammunition at all.

February 21, 2012 at 8:55 am |

eddie russo

Europe and America for the past 500 years are responsible for at least between 350 or 500 million deaths around the world, which includes: native american Indians, african slaveries, native ppl in austatia, wwI, wwII, bombing japan with nuke, vietnam war, invading palestine, afghanistan, lybia, Iraq, more and more, but now I Iran is threat. NOT EVERY BODY IS DUMB AND STUPIT, BUT EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY, WHAT GOES AROUND ALWAYS COMES AROUND, BEHINDE EVERY UPHILL IT HAS TO BE DOWNHILL, WHAT EVERY GOES UP IT HAS TO COME DOWN.

If those millions of people that we killed were the kind of people who believe in stoning adulterers and homosexuals in the streets ... I'm glad we did it and I for one am happy to support continuing the job that this inhumane world needs to be done so that my children don't have to live such barbarians!

YOU MUST BE HOMOSEXUAL JBD, CUZ YOU KEEP SAYING THIS. and you right those ppl that we killed were barbarians, like poor africans against their well, put them on ship to point of no return, and those poor palestinians for the past 65 years under accupation, or those poor ppl in australria, or I could go on and on, when talk about being barbarians talk about hitler,, he was not arab or muslim, he was your kind.

February 17, 2012 at 3:43 pm |

janice

You actually sound like the barbarian here. Very ignorant indeed. Where did you get the idea that the United States engages in war because people are being stoned to death??

February 17, 2012 at 3:51 pm |

KingGoat

Ummm actually your totally wrong. We are going to continue bossing everyone around and every country WILL bend over in front of us. You just sound like another pissed off muslim to me.

Can't even spell a simple, monosyllabic word such as "you", yet you deem yourself fit to criticize someone else's spelling.

And you have the gall to call others stupid?

What a hypocrite.

February 17, 2012 at 9:27 pm |

nismofo

All of these same questions were asked when North Korea and Pakistan got a bomb and to date they have never used it. Seems to me that the media, our government and the Israelies just want to drag us into war with Iran. I say let the Israelies handle it, we are already over commited in the region to start another war.

Well say, let's just make Santorum president. He has promised to start World War III on behalf of The Supreme Lord and Commander of All Humankind Jesus Christ. Then we won't have to worry about Iran anymore. Or anyone else or ourselves, for that matter. Happy days!

The very thought of a government that still sentences public stoning's for the crimes of adultery and homosexuality wielding nuclear power should scare the snot out of every nation on the planet! The problem is that the governments who believe that the population is to be "controlled" by the government (China and Russia) have more of a vested interest in allowing Iran to have that power than to allow the governments of the "free" (the governments who believe that the government should be controlled by the people) world to gain the power of successfully suppressing it. So why should we do everything possible to stop Iran from gaining power?

@JBD you are very correct that stoning is barbaric and absurd, but please keep in mind that you live in the country that has more people imprisoned than any other country on the earth with over 2 million people in prisons. The only country that is close to us is China with 1.5 million, however with a population that is 4 times that of ours, I'm sure you can see we still have an exponentially high percentage.

WOW .. that was a very informative and educated statement ... you're clearly a genius ... what were we thinking? You persuaded me ... I'll go join the local Jihad group to support your statement now ... thanks for enlightening me! LOL ID10T

any country that has the abilty to completely destroy their nieghbors will always be looked upon with susipcion(?) because they know they do not have enough power to totally eradicate their enemy without suffering a mortal blow themselves(hence M.A.D.). what has to be done to prove that they will not use them their on their enemies will never happen. no side wants to give up that sense of power. couple that with a sense of entitlement by the haves over the have nots it is classical jealousy. iran wanting nuclear power while scary because we do not know excactly what they will do with it should come as no surprise. they must also know that no other nuclear power will allow them to just start using it anywhere they want. their own people will usurp them if they take it to far or they will kill to many of their own people and thus weaken themselves for it. what every nuclear power has to be worried about is are they willing to kill themselves for a few minutes of worldly power?

The zionists said it that they could nuke most of the European capitals @
http://zioncrimefactory.com/2012/02/02/vulture-jewry-wants-the-west-to-annihilate-iran-or-else-theyll-nuke-europe/
what would you say then?

the zionist SAID they could do it. everybody with nuclear capability has said they could do it. does that mean they will? most nuclear countries would not even dare it unless they were nuked multiple times first. and even then most will second guess the act. except for testing the usa has not even used since ww2 and you don't think we thought about it? we may have the plans for world domination written up a long time ago but have we really done it?ask yourself if we wanted to rule the world you don't think we could have done it by now? if the western zionists truly wanted to eradicate the muslim world could we have not done so already? if that were so the zionist/russia/china could be dividing up the whole kit and kaboodle right now instead of trying to talk to the muslim world. what the muslim world does not understand is most normal people in the free world do not want to be controled by any one group or entity and we would like to see the same for you. you don't want your religious enemies controling you do you? how about a little respect for someone who is not involved in this battle because of religions but because i want to see the MEN AND WOMEN have an equal say in how they grow and become in this world. does america need to back off a bit? sure. but whaen you start denying people the right to freedom of thought and voice you bring it on yourselves. would you like to see your neighbor kill his neighbor and leave the mess for everyone else to look at?

February 17, 2012 at 2:13 pm |

JBD

Considering the fact that government still allows public stoning's in their streets for the crimes of adultery and homosexuality, I wouldn't want to count on their reasonable judgement when determining whether or not they would ever use nuclear weapons.

Our intelligence community are human, they have made mistakes but be that as it may, i choose to believe their assessment of our risks over the assessment of anyone posting on this site, especially since many of the posters are clearly muslim/arab apologists with agendas contrary to the interests of the US.

@rick – Please explain to me how wanting to NOT go to war is not in the best interest of the USA when Iran is posing NO direct threat to us. I'm an American citizen, born and raised, not Muslim nor do I support their rhetoric either. What I am is a realist that looks at the facts and makes sound judgement from what I read and educate myself with, rather than being another drone to our high officials believing that I shouldn't question them because they just want whats best for us. I used to believe that as well and then I opened my eyes to truth. I don't want the US gov to be destroyed or anyone in this country hurt at all, quite the contrary. I want a TRUE democracy that is by the people, for the people, so that our society can be as great and free as our fore fathers envisioned, not a military industrial regime that is more interested in keeping the wealth in their pockets at the expense of American lives.

Very good point. How ironic that they were the only threat we ever truly had that could actually wipe us off the face of the planet, yet we still had enough sense to sit and talk things out with them.

February 17, 2012 at 9:40 pm |

Kannan

Iran knows well and will never use a nuclear weapon on an another country. It will be a death wish. It's like nuking its own country. India and pakistan never used nukes even in the latest war. Iranian people are moderate muslims (when compared with Saudi/Kuwait) and they are educated, the womens has more rights when compared to our allies Saudi or Kuwait. I can bet you will see lot more hatred towards america and fanatisum in these countries excluding the monarch rulers who needs our support to stay in power. I dont know whether it is a good idea to attack a country to prevent a possible attack. This approach may lead to many more wars!

I agree with you, but we have every interest in the world to keep the Iranian government from gaining more power. We live in a world economy ... and it is becoming more and more of a world economy as time passes and technology advances. We cannot sit on our laurels and hope that the world goes the way we want it to. Our children and grand children will have to deal with our inaction as history has proven over and over again. Iran obtaining nuclear capabilities while openly stoning homosexuals and adulterers in the streets is not about the threat of them actually using the weapons ... it's about suppressing the power that comes with having that threat. It is very important for our future role in this world. And those who don't want us to lead the world into a more free and humanitarian world are the governments who firmly believing in controlling their population. So what would you like the world to like in 40 years?

Hmm! It is a tough question. Damn if you do damn if you don't. If energy hungry nations can manage without Iran's oil then sanctions may work. No country would like their economy suffer. We badly need an oil alternate now. If sanctions didn't work iran may get nuclear weapon technology like north Korea. Iran already has ballistic missiles which can reach oil wells in Saudi, Kuwait and Israel. Cheaper more efficient missile defence system will be a good start. Since Iran lots of ballistic missiles.

February 17, 2012 at 2:22 pm |

Jeff

@Kannan – Again a great comment. Iran would never attack another with their nukes because it would be suicide. After all Israel and the US are itching to attack them anyway and they don't even have them. I personally wish no one had nukes, but that's not the reality we live in. That being said, I truly believe they only want them so they can guarantee no one uses one on them. I personally wish that no one had guns and we didn't have to live with that threat, but again that's not the reality we live in, therefore I have guns!

The only portion I would disagree with you on is that I firmly believe that attacking them is a bad approach to this situation and would definitely lead to more wars. The unfortunate fact is that it seems our world leaders want this.

I agree with you Jeff. War cannot make friends or bring peace. It will further agitate the Middle East. I don’t know whether Ahmadinejad represents the people of Iran or cares for the people of Iran. If he cares for iran or people of Iran then he will not start a war. If he cares more for the destruction of Israel than his and Iranian’s people's life then he may do something stupid. Since we cannot rule out the possibility, we need to be alert. I don’t support a pre-emptive strike. I think we should give them the choice; war or learn to live as a responsible country. We shouldn't take away this opportunity from them.

February 17, 2012 at 4:19 pm |

onikami

to those who think i am just spouting nonsense:

the info in this peice is HIGHLY OPIONATED i realize this and as an amrican can both love/hate this piece while still expressing MY OWN OPNION(sorry my spelling suxs) world ecnomies aside, the only way humanities ever gonna grow is by having enough space to live by the rules that a few set up. that they must be fair to all is a given but what happens when one group says they are right and you are wrong? so far humanities solution is to raise a spear and aim it at their opponenets heart. talk solves nothing until action is takin' and then the haves try to fight the have nots and then it turns into a clusterf***!!!! to say that both sides are meddelers is an understatement!!! america is a place that everybody has it least a say in how they live it is not perfect and was never intended to be but americans don't help their situation by having bad government, by having corupt trading practices on the corporate level that we allow. we allow our government to have a free hand in the rest of the world because we do not want the rest of the world to catch up with us. humanity is starting to feel a little crowded and it will get much worse without a PLANETARY GOAL!!! not everyone one is gonna have the same goals as the less educated and so we have more strife than we know what to do with. for some this goal is to live as religiously as possible, but that hurts the people who have less faith in divinty and more in the human ingenuity while still having faith in the human spirit.

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CNN's Security Clearance examines national and global security, terrorism and intelligence, as well as the economic, military, political and diplomatic effects of it around the globe, with contributions from CNN's national security team in Washington and CNN journalists around the world.